Bostik Matchday: It's not size that's important

FC Westfield took on FC Romania. Please, no more jokes about shopping centres and internationals.

When we mentioned on social media that our Bostik Matchday feature would be Westfield versus FC Romania, we should probably have expected that the wits would be out in force.

“Why is a shopping centre playing a country?”

“Is that Westfield at Shepherd’s Bush or Westfield next to West Ham?”

Welcome to Westfield

Welcome to Westfield

“Is there an international break this weekend?”

And then, from the slightly more educated:

“Westfield? They’re the side that got to the FA Cup First Round a few years ago, aren’t they?”

No. That was WestfieldS, from Hereford, but given they knocked out Isthmian clubs Leiston and Walton Casuals on the way that mistake was perhaps forgivable. In truth, these comments came from folk who are more attuned to the trials and tribulations of the Premier League than the Bostik League, but if you were a fan of our featured sides today then you must have heard them many, many times before.

Johnny and Mike- 142 years of wisdom!

Johnny and Mike- 142 years of wisdom!

There is much, much more to Westfield and FC Romania, however, than the opportunity to make a terrible pun. Both Bostik League newcomers this season, both playing their first ever season at Step Four, both obtaining promotion after a few seasons of unprecedented success- and both struggling to find their feet in the lower reaches of our South Central table- this was the first time they had ever met, and whilst it wouldn’t be fair to say that Woking Park was abuzz at the prospect, fans of both sides were certainly delighted to be present, and enjoying the ride.

Westfield supporters, particularly, are used to positivity. The last two seasons under manager Tony Reid have been little less than astounding. In 2016-17 they missed out on promotion from the Combined Counties Premier Division despite picking up ninety three points and scoring one hundred and six goals, being beaten to the title only by the inspired form of Hartley Wintney- who now sit in tenth place in the Southern South Premier Division. They did, however, pick up the League Cup. Last season they went one place- and thirteen points- better, romping to the title whilst finishing with a positive goal difference of one hundred and two! Promoted long before the end of the campaign, their supporters had a great deal of time to celebrate.

This season had been far more of a mixed bag; victories over Ware, Molesey and Chipstead having to be measured against defeats against the likes of Marlow, Egham Town, Northwood and- most recently- Ashford Town, who they’ve faced three times in their last three matches with only a 0-0 draw giving them any kind of a positive result. Do they not like orange, as Graham Taylor might have said (OK Town fans, Tangerine, but let’s not split hairs). Still looking to find consistency, they were hoping that the fact that neighbours Woking FC playing away from home would boost the attendance- and indeed they are very close neighbours, divided only by the A247 and an expanse of grass and car parks.

Before the match we caught up with chairman Steve, webmaster, programme editor and fixer of troublesome printers Neil, and club ambassador Mike. All were very sure that their side was good enough to do more than just avoid relegation this season, and aiming for a top ten finish. But there were more important things to think about- the club, it was quickly pointed out, was about more than just results.

A good view from the balcony

A good view from the balcony

Mike, who explained that he’d been part of the club for more than fifty years as player and official, was asked what made the club special to him. He spoke of the ethos that Westfield had adhered to ever since their inception, of the great side of the 70’s- of which he was a part- which would have gone on to bigger and better things had ground grading issues not got in the way, and of their determination, indeed passion, to ensure that anyone visiting the club would be warmly welcomed and leave with a good impression. He also spoke about his worries for the future, and how money was ruining the game- a refrain which can undoubtedly be heard at every senior club in the country. His positivity was infectious.

Visitors FC Romania didn’t win promotion- although they perhaps deserved it, after finishing in third place in the Essex Senior League for the third season in a row. Ion Vintila was preparing his side for another campaign at Step 5 (we say another, but given they were only formed in 2006 to be at that level at all in such a short space of time was nothing less than astounding) when the call came from the FA confirming that they’d be a Bostik League club this year. The folding of Step Three Shaw Lane- in Barnsley- led to a last minute reshuffle- perhaps proving Newton’s Third Law once more, albeit in a rather abstract way. Fleet Town were forced to sail sideways (not sure whether that’s port or starboard) and the Wolves were the recipients of their place in our South Central Division.

The Wolves were represented by Johnny Adams, their irrepressible PA Announcer and “former President of America,” who was celebrating his seventieth birthday with a trip to Woking. He was very positive about the club, but less convinced that they were ready for their shot at the Bostik League. “There are lovely people involved, and very loyal to the players, which is nice. But sometimes that loyalty means that changes should be made and aren’t. And, of course, they’re still learning the ways of the English game, which aren’t the same as in their homeland. We’ve only just- for example- started producing a proper programme.” Asked the million dollar- or perhaps the million leu- question, he wasn’t particularly confident. “It’s been a big step-up. We need to get this year out of the way, stay up, and see how we go. But it won’t be easy.” He then left to shout encouragement to his team, after helping the home PA announcer with her pronunciation!

Neither side was in good form. The hosts had picked up only four points from their last fifteen, the visitors none at all; although they could (and did) point out that those five defeats had all come against sides in the top eight. The last time they’d taken on a side from the bottom half of the table- Bedfont Sports- they’d emerged victorious. Westfield were taking nothing for granted.

Late arrivals

Late arrivals

FC Romania got us underway, in blue, leaving the home side, in yellow, kicking into the sun. The first chance came in the third minute, Kiye Martin feeding Tinashe Nkoma for a shot which was closer to the corner flag than the goal, but this heralded a period of pressure from the home side which never really stopped for 40 minutes. Dale Burnham forced Adrian Darabant in the Wolves goal into the first save a minute later, and Westfield continued to press, whilst the away side defended in depth. Another shot wide from T’Sharne Gallimore continued the one way traffic.

It was quickly apparent that Field’s tactic of choice was to feed Nkoma and let him run. Time and again balls were played out to the diminutive midfielder, hugging the right touchline, and time and time again he set off to beat his full back and cross dangerously. He could also, it transpired, accurately aim a long pass from midfield, and it was his crossfield ball to Arron Watson that led to the best chance so far, the number eleven haring forward, exchanging passes and firing wide. The approach play was excellent, the finish less so. That was the story of Westfield’s first fifteen minutes. Another run and pass from Nkoma to Martin, a ball to the back post, and Martin put another wide. Let’s make that sixteen minutes.

As we entered the 20th minute it was- of course- Nkoma who came closest to making the breakthrough, forcing Darabant into a diving save at his left hand post that resulted in a corner. It seemed a question of when the goal would come; by this point FC Romania had only entered the opposition half four times, and not got anywhere near threatening Gary Ross in the Westfield goal. They finally went behind in the 23rd minute, Graeme Purdy keeping his nerve in the winter haze to fire home expertly- after being left in so much space he could have stopped to tie his laces before scoring. Three minutes later a header from Louie Downey crashed off the underside of the bar before bouncing away, and even Romania Johnny- who had been shouting his encouragement from the first minute without a let up- seemed to be losing his enthusiasm. A shot from Martin was blocked just in front of the line, Watson fired over once more, and if the home side had taken their chances they could have been four up already.

In the 33rd minute FC Romania finally made themselves a chance, and indeed George Taban actually put the ball in the net. Sadly he was two yards offside despite his protests. Normal service was soon resumed, however, with the side in yellow encamped inside their opponents box.

Romania's finest

Romania's finest

As we approached the last five minutes of the half, however, the need to take your chances when on top started to haunt the home side, as the Blues finally got going. First Andrei Baciu tried a shot from just inside the opposition half, which Ross had to backpedal to hold. Ross was soon in action again, punching clear with Viroel Gabor charging in, before having to get down to his left to save from Gelu Lupu. Suddenly it was the away side who didn’t want the whistle, but it blew anyway, after only thirty seconds of added time. “Bravo, bravo, bravo,” shouted Johnny. Half time, and one-nil. It should have been more; would Westfield be given reason to regret that it wasn’t?

As the second half kicked off the sun had sunk so low in the sky that almost every spectator was forced to watch with one hand shielding their eyes. The away side continued their form from the previous five minutes, and seven minutes after the restart had their chance to equalise, a goalmouth scramble seeing the ball fall to Gabor, but he shot just wide. A foul just outside the box gave them another chance, and Lupu once more brought a diving save from Ross from the free kick.

Indeed such was the strength of the away side’s comeback that when the second goal came it was perhaps against the run of play. What was very much the same as earlier, however, was the amount of time that Purdy was allowed to finish beyond Darabant. Purdy was immediately substituted, so the goal was his last touch of the afternoon. Perhaps he’d done enough- two shots and two goals was quite a ratio.

Darabant then saved brilliantly from Watson, and then well from Adam Bellmaine. FC Romania had the occasional foray, Westfield probed, but the game died a little. And then, with seven minutes to go, substitute Chiduben Onokwai suddenly pulled a goal back. It was rather a surprise. Would it galvanise the away side and see them grab an unlikely point? It certainly raised the volume amongst their team and supporters- although sadly Johnny had departed to his birthday party so had missed the excitement.

Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the moonlight...

Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the moonlight...

A second yellow card for Gabriel Ghinea deep into added time, and it was over. Westfield had the points.

Westfield don’t attract large crowds; indeed, even with their neighbours away today, only 54 were tempted to watch the game. Mike’s earlier comment about money ruining the game wasn’t likely to be an issue here- there isn’t a great deal of it. What was clear, however, was that the club were greater than the sum of their parts, and that the absent locals were missing out. On the pitch, there was energy, a commitment to passing football, to good discipline, and to sporting behaviour. Off it there was a friendliness and welcome which was a delight to experience, as well as a commitment to being the best they could possibly be. You can ask no more of any club.

A few years ago, Westfield were the subject of some good natured ribbing in the national media when they unveiled their tiny new stand, erected to comply with ground grading rules. However the club, and the stand, have something in common.

It's not size that's important. It's what you do with it.

Where next?

Late goals, late drama, new leaders- and goals in every single game! Wherever you were yesterday, you were certainly entertained. Here’s our round up.
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